Michael is Senior Partner at PwC, Middle East Region.
He is based in the United Arab Emirates and is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Michael joined PwC in 1982 and, since then, he has worked with multinational and local clients across a broad range of industry sectors both in the United Kingdom and the Middle East.

Michael leads PwC’s regional presence across the
Middle East, which now covers 14 countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen), with 23 offices. The region currently has over 80 partners and 1,700 employees.

Abdulaziz Sager is chairman and founder of the Gulf Research Center. He is also President of Sager Group Holding in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is active in the fields of information technology, aviation services and investments.

In November 2003, Mr. Sager was appointed as a member of the Makkah Province Council. In addition, he serves as a member on the advisory board of the Arab Thought Foundation, Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), German Orient foundation and on the advisory group for the 4th Arab Human Development Report for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Mr. Sager has special research interest in Gulf strategic issues and is a regular contributor and commentator to international and regional media. He also regularly participates in regional and international forums and conferences held on issues relevant to the Gulf region.

Alexander John Andarakis leads Emaar’s sales and marketing initiatives across the company’s key markets and has been mandated with identifying and executing new growth opportunities.

A motivator and natural team-leader, Alex Andarakis has a commendable track record in driving organizational change, developing and executing strategy, brand innovation, communication and activation, and developing business systems
in distribution.

Alex, an Australian national of Greek descent, was previously Chief Executive Officer of Aujan Industries Company, and shaped the company as one of the region’s fastest growing beverages and confectionery businesses. He is credited with developing and implementing the Aujan 555 Strategy and Vision that laid a strong foundation for the future growth of
the company.

Earlier Alex worked with Unilever for 18 years across a number of assignments in general management, and sales and marketing.

A member of ‘The Who’s Who of Professionals,’ Alex has also been a Columnist for Arabian Business magazine writing on leadership and organizational change, and served one the panel of judges for the 2006 Arabian Business Awards.

Sultan Al-Qassemi is the managing director and partner, and member of the investment committee of a large private family office, with a focus on proprietary assets listed in international equity markets. He also manages the group’s real estate and general
construction interests.

In addition, he is the Chairman of Barjeel Securities & Capital Industries & Investments in Dubai. He has also served as a board member with a number of investment companies in the region and abroad. He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors of Sohar University in the Sultanate of Oman.

Sultan Al-Qassemi is a regular contributor to academic journals in the Gulf and in South Asia.

Fatima Saeed Al-Shamsi is the Secretary General and the Assistant Professor of Economics at the United Arab Emirates University. She was also the Head of the College of Business & Economics’ Student Internship & Career Advising unit, for 10 years.

She has been the UAEU representative to the UAE National Committee for the WTO, since 1999, and has been an active member of the Gulf Research Centre Academic Board and the Original Council of Gulf Research Centre Foundation.

She has to her credit, awards such as the Fulbright Fellowship Award affiliated with University of Baltimore in the years 1995-1996 and the Rashid Award for Scientific Achievement in 1991.

She has also been a vital member of

• Business and Economists Association. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• American Economic Association (AEA), Nashville, TN: United States of America
• Middle East Studies Association, (MESA) Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
• Development Forum, Kuwait.
• Business Women Award’s Jury for 2003 and 2004

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